Journalist Nikki Walsh explains how she came to work for Irish Tatler almost by chance
Nikki Walsh
Nikki Walsh is a Dublin-based freelance journalist and editor who contributes to The Times, The Sunday Times, The Irish Times, The Dubliner, The Mail on Sunday and Image Magazine. She has an interest in arts, culture and society but also writes on health, psychology, food and fashion. She describes how an editorial internship led to her first journalism job.
What inspired you to become a writer?
A love of reading.
Did you receive any formal training?
No. I read English at Trinity College Dublin before working as an editorial intern on Irish Tatler magazine.
I never nursed dreams of becoming a magazine editor, and when I left college I had no idea what I was going to do next. It was a friend who suggested I approach the editor of Irish Tatler - she had been in school with her.
I learnt on the job as an editorial assistant. My job involved everything from collecting the editor’s dry cleaning to scanning photographs, writing features and calling in photographs.
How did you find your first job in the media?
I rang up a magazine and asked them could I come in and work for them for free. After those few weeks, the editor suggested I stay on and I began working for her for a very, very small fee.
I realised that working on a women’s glossy was not glamorous, that the hours were long and that it was very poorly paid. That said, I found interviewing artists interesting.
Where are we likely to see your work now?
The Sunday Times, the Mail on Sunday, The Dubliner and Image Magazine.
Do you specialise in a particular genre?
More often than not, I write about society, arts and culture, but I am happy to write on any topic.
Coming from a women’s magazine background, much of my work has been spotting cultural and societal trends, but books - are my real passion.
How would you describe your writing style?
Pithy.
What inspires you?
Long walks and conversation.
What are the biggest challenges of the job?
Getting paid. Over-worked accounts departments are slow to process payments and companies do not want to let go of their money. It can take months to get paid for work.
What are the biggest perks of being a freelance writer?
The illusion of autonomy, free trips to the theatre and no office politics.
How do you adapt your style to suit different publications?
I adopt a persona for each one. Each publication has a core reader and when I adopt a persona, I adopt a voice that reader wants to hear.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
My editorship of Food & Wine Magazine. I became editor of Food & Wine Magazine in 2007 after a series of editorships. I live to eat, so it was a chance to indulge that passion. Interviewing and promoting the work of our artisan food producers was fulfilling: they are the real heroes.
What advice would you offer an aspiring writer?
Read as if your life depended on it but be selective: bad writing is contagious!
What are you working on now?
A feature for Image on the pros and cons of childcare, a monthly selection of theatre reviews for The Dubliner, an interview with Sinead Keenan for Sunday Times Style and my next column for the Mail on Sunday.
Related posts:
- Author and journalist Joel Meadows explains how he came to work with Guillermo Del Toro - Joel Meadows has written about film, TV, animation and genre...
- Freelance journalist Lauren Holden explains how she pursued her writing dream - Lauren Holden is a freelance journalist covering beauty, fashion, music,...
- Newspaper journalist Dana Gloger tells us how she started out as a crime reporter - Dana Gloger is a freelance news and features journalist, working...
- Natasha Courtenay-Smith explains how running a press agency helps her to find the balance between work and family - Natasha Courtenay-Smith is a freelance writer and the founder of...
- Poet, journalist and novelist Melinda Elmore talks about how she balances her work and life - Melinda Elmore is an American author and poet whose work...
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
No comments yet.
Leave a comment